The best products to kickstart a diet program or bust through weight loss plateaus

by Editor

Diet and exercise are fundamental elements for losing weight. But if you want to supercharge your diet or bust through a weight loss plateau, supplementation may be the key. This guide will help you identify the best ingredients, products and strategies for you.

Fat Burners

Thermogenic fat burners are formulas that include a blend of ingredients that stimulate the metabolism to burn more fat and calories.

Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates metabolism and mobilizes body fat for use as energy. It can also enhance the effects of other fat-burning compounds like green tea. Many people rely on caffeine to increase exercise intensity and duration.* Try Fitness Labs Caffeine or Piping Rock Caffeine.

A special fruit extact is based on three citrus fruits of the Mediterranean diet: sweet orange, blood orange and grapefruit. It also contains an extract from the berries of the tropical American plant, guarana. Each of these extracts contains specific bioactive flavonoids that have been shown to boost lipolysis (fat breakdown).*

In one study of 95 healthy overweight volunteers, the group taking 450 mg of this fruit extract twice per day had a greater decrease in body fat (-9.7% vs -3.2%) and a greater decrease in waist circumference (-5.7% vs -1.5%) than placebo after 12 weeks.* Try Fitness Labs Thermo Rip or Fitness Labs Diet Stack.

Stimulant-Free

Stimulant-free products also work well, and many people use them in conjunction with fat burners.

CLA
CLA is a special conjugated omega-6 fatty acid that has been proven to reduce body fat and preserve lean body mass. It’s also been shown to speed up the body's fat metabolism and help metabolize existing fat deposits as well as increase the proportion of lean muscle to fat in the body.* Try Piping Rock CLAor Fitness Labs CLA 1000 or CLA Tonalin.

Chromium
This trace mineral is a key factor in regulating the metabolism of nutrients, such as glucose. By supporting healthy glucose levels, chromium may help reduce carb cravings.* Try Lindberg Chromium Picolinate.

7-Keto
This is a non-hormonal metabolite of DHEA. It has been patented for its ability to promote thermogenesis as well as for the maintenance of healthy body weight.* Try Lindberg 7-Keto.

Green Coffee Bean Extract
The beans (or seeds) found in the berries of coffee trees contain high levels of chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid works in two ways. First, it reduces the absorption of blood sugar (glucose) by the intestine. Then it inhibits an enzyme in the liver so that less glucose is released into the bloodstream. With less glucose available, the body burns more fat stored in adipose tissues as a source of energy rather than glucose. Clinical studies showed those taking green coffee extract for 60 days experienced 5.7% weight loss and 4% lean mass to fat mass ratio increase.* Try Piping Rock Green Coffee Bean Extract.

Curb Appetite

These ingredients are designed to help you feel more full with less food, satisfying your appetite, thereby reducing your calorie intake.

Garcinia cambogia extract comes from the fruit rind of the garcinia cambogia tree. The active ingredient in this extract is hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been shown in clinical studies to be effective in weight management.* The active component, HCA, in garcinia appears to inhibit the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase. This diverts carbohydrates away from fat storage and towards stored energy in the form of glycogen. Increased glycogen levels are believed to send a signal to the brain that the body is “full,” resulting in reduced appetite and food intake.*

The most effective dose is about 1,500-1,555 mg taken before three meals a day. That translates into taking two 750-778 mg capsules, three times a day. However, even a short term, lower-dose study showed it decreased calorie intake by 25% and snacking by 40% when taking only 500 mg three times a day.* Garcinia appears to work best with people who tend to overeat or have appetite control issues. You should also combine it with a reduced calorie diet. Try Lindberg Garcinia Cambogia Extract.

Ashwagandha
This botanical has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to help treat stress-related health conditions. In one study, participants taking ashwagandha experienced a 69% decrease in the overall measure of stress plus a 24% reduction in a stress hormone, the same one produced during exercise. This helps inhibit stress-induced over-eating and carb cravings.* Try Lindberg Ashwagandha Extract, or Piping Rock Ashwagandha Root.

Carb & Fat Inhibitors

You can still occasionally enjoy foods like pizza and ice cream while dieting. How? Take white kidney bean extract and/or chitosan to inhibit your body’s absorption of calories from starchy, high-carb and high-fat foods.

Chitosan
This shellfish-based fiber binds with fat from your favorite foods, reducing calorie absorption. One study showed 5 pounds of weight loss difference compared to placebo over 8 weeks when taking 1,500 mg of chitosan before the two largest meals of the day in a group of poeple who averaged consuming 30% of their calories from fat.*

Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia, a South African plant extract, works by tricking the brain into thinking you're full, even when you're not, by mimicking an increase in blood glucose.* To prevent over-eating, take hoodia before meals while you're still hungry. Try Now Foods Mega Hoodia.

Relora is a blend of plant extracts that may help manage symptoms associated with stress such as irritability, emotional ups and downs, restlessness and occasional sleeplessness. The relaxing effect of Relora and its action on the stress hormone cortisol may indirectly help combat stress-induced overeating and therefore aid in weight control.* Try Lindberg Relora or Piping Rock Relora 250 mg or Piping Rock Super Cortisol Supportwith Magnolia Extract.

Summary

Many people achieve weight loss success by slightly reducing calorie intake and following a low carb or low glycemic diet plan. Adding supplements may help you burn fat faster, curb appetite and avoid cravings.* Be consistent with your diet and always include exercise to maximize success. Before you know it, you'll be looking and feeling better than ever!

* Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Product results may vary from person to person.

† Compare price is the price compared to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price or estimated selling price of the same or similar item at full-price stores. See Pricing Policy for details.

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